Time to Burn: Krishna Camp Returns To The Desert
By Bhakta-Chris Fici
A new tradition has been born from the desert floor like a phoenix, and the fire of devotion continues to burn as Krishna Camp once again descends on Burning Man 2008, the annual festival of all things alternative, creative, and progressive, which ensues this year, as always, from the Black Rock Desert in Nevada.
Krishna Camp, in conjunction with our friends at Entheon Village, will have the shop set up beginning on August 25th, the first day of the Burning Man festival, ecstatically flying all the way through to September 1st. This year’s Camp, hosted by 45 first and second generation devotees of ISKCON (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness) promises to build on the excitement and deep spiritual vibes of previous efforts in this awe-inspiring environment.
Among this year’s festivities will include a 40 foot high replica of the Jagannatha Temple, offering a unique haven of mantra meditation and deep Vedic insight to all the spiritually seeking Burners (residents of Burning Man).
Returning this year will be the world-famous Ratha Yatra cart, a 25-ft high chariot carrying the ancient Vedic deities of Jaganntha, Baladeva, and Subhadra. The members of Krishna Camp will take the Rath cart on parade throughout the Burning Man site, to offer spiritual blessings and the transcendental sounds of kirtan to all the assembled Burners.
Krishna Camp will also feature massive distribution of succulent vegetarian prasad (spiritualized food) to all the hungry Burners, and we will also offer classical Indian style face-painting, as well as seminars on Vedic philosophy and mantra meditation.
Also joining the Camp this year will be on of the most vibrant world-music groups in North America, As Kindred Spirits. The music of As Kindred Spirits is the sound of cultures colliding, featuring rich ethnic rhythms and melodies, with fresh western harmonies and grooves, crafted with the ancient tradition of kirtan or devotional Indian musical meditation, creating music that is both hip and inspired. They will be performing exclusively this year as part of Krishna Camp at Entheon Village at Burning Man 2008.
Krishna Camp would like to let you know that they are happy to take donations of foodstuffs, Srila Prabhupada’s books, and also financial gifts to help support their efforts at this year’s Burning Man. To help out, contact Nitai Drury at elidrury@gmail.com.
